Grey’s Story – A Road of Hope and Recovery at Summit Estate

“Alcohol was my primary demon,” says Grey. At 59 years old, Grey looks back on his long struggle with alcoholism and is able to reflect back on a life that was almost cut short because of his addiction.

For decades, Grey’s life was unmanageable and was causing his family pain as they bear witness to his slow path of self-destruction. Over the years he had unsuccessfully tried several times to quit. “I tried different things to quit, I tried Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, harm reduction programs – it just wasn’t enough,” he says. His addiction affected his self-esteem and his business as well. He also had to confront underlying issues of anger, which made it difficult for Grey to seek or receive help.

His wife and two teenage daughters experienced the agony and pain of Grey’s blackouts and hospital visits. Grey’s addiction was tearing his family apart as he continued down the path of self-destruction. At one point, Greys wife threaten to leave and file for divorce. It was one of the lowest points in Grey’s life. “I felt ‘broken,” he says. “My addiction made me lose sight of everything around me,” says Grey.

His therapist suggested he go to rehab. “It was obvious and clear, but denial was in the room,” says Grey. The breakthrough and willingness to get the help he needed was the change of attitude that saved Grey’s life. “I looked at recovery facilities state wide,” Grey says. “When I walked through Summit Estate’s doors, the atmosphere was excellent, very open and informal, well-staffed,” he says. Grey took the first step and entered Summit Estate’s 5-week residential treatment program. “It was nerve racking to take time off of work to take care of myself – it was either that or go down the drain, but I was stepping away from danger and into helpful hands,” says Grey.

“My father was an alcoholic and I didn’t have a concept of modern recovery,” he says. This compounded the issue of starting recovery difficult.

The road to recovery is seldom an upward trajectory, as in life it can be filled with the occasional setbacks and disappointments. “Looking back it was the best decision I made, although reluctantly at first. My experience at Summit Estate was very positive and I couldn’t have imagined doing what I do now – living life sober and happy” says Grey.

Grey is on a solid road to recovery and is facing the daily challenges of staying sober with a new mindset and recovery tools learned at Summit Estate. “The road to recovery has been rocky at times, but Summit Estate is one of the healthiest places to get your head together – they have their client’s best interest in mind,” says Grey.

“Summit Estate is a safe place, where I was taken care of, given a chance to relax, to think, to reflect. Sacrifice a little to gain recovery, it’s only a few weeks,” says Grey.